West Sets New Deadline for Iran: July 12

WASHINGTON – Western powers have set July 12 as a deadline for Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and agree to talks on its nuclear program or face the threat of U.N. Security Council sanctions, diplomats said Monday.

The diplomats also said that Russia and China were closer than ever before to supporting the West in seeking to pressure Iran by the threat of U.N. Security Council action, including sanctions, if Tehran refused a six-power package of incentives meant to wean it off enrichment.

The envoys — some of them senior U.N. diplomats and all familiar with details of the six nations' drive to persuade Iran to compromise on its nuclear activities — spoke just two days before a key Iran — European Union meeting meant to make clear to the Iranians that their time is running out.